Chevrolet has given the next generation Corvette Z06 an all-new direct-injection
supercharged V8 producing a staggering 625 horsepower (or 466 kW), and the
option of a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Significantly, this new Z06 has more torque than the previous beefiest Corvette,
the ZR1 which was also powered by a supercharged 6.2 liter V8 (but an older
design), which was the fastest Corvette of all time when it was launched in
2009.

The new Z06 has 861 Nm versus 819 Nm for the ZR1, which is enough pulling power
to tow City Hall over to the Night Market.

Chevrolet is yet to publish performance times for the new Z06 but the previous
ZR1 could cover the zero to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and had a top speed of 330
km/h. With more brute horsepower and torque expect 340 km/h top speed and zero
to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds.

The only clue the company will give about performance is to say that the new Z06
laps faster than the previous ZR1. And to think the next generation ZR1 is still
to be developed.

Porsche goes back to the Targa top

Targa Porsche

Photos released before its “official” opening showed at the
North American International Auto Show in Detroit, that the new Targa will see a
return to the traditional full-width roof opening and fixed Targa bar B pillar,
compared with the sliding glass center roof section of the previous three 911
iterations.
One likely evolution for the new model is the apparent soft roof section, which
could fold away neatly to avoid the storage issues of a solid piece.
Aside from the unique roof design, the new 911 Targa is likely to mirror the
existing hardtop and convertible Carrera and Carrera S, Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S
two and all-wheel drive specs, with either a 257 kW/390 Nm 3.4 liter or 294
kW/440 Nm 3.8 liter flat sixes, with seven speed manual or PDK dual-clutch auto
transmissions.
Having owned a 1973 Targa at one stage, this new design is re-inventing the
wheel with the fixed Targa bar B pillar and a fold up roof which then became
small enough in outside dimensions to easily fit under the bonnet, all of which
were available way back then.
The Targa design gives you the feeling of open air motoring, without the
buffeting of sports cars, as the rear glass stops the air blowing forwards which
leads to great degrees of turbulence in the cockpit.
However, some loss of torsional rigidity in the Targa design was evident back
then - driving slowly from pavement to road surface you could visibly see the
scuttle movement, but Porsche claims they have strengthened the chassis on this
new model, compared to the cabriolets previously.
I would certainly like one of these in my garage!

New Corolla to be exported to Australia from Thailand

New Corolla

With the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and
Australia producing sizable savings at the other end, the new 2014 Toyota
Corolla sedan is to be built in Thailand and exported to Australia. Estimates
are that the saving will be around A$1,000 per car from the cessation of the
five percent import duty.

Almost a quarter of the 1,136,227 vehicles sold in Australia in 2013 were
sourced from Thailand or the United States, with Thai-built vehicles now
accounting for roughly 20 percent of the Australian market, with Japan and South
Korean imports also ranked ahead of locally-produced cars. Commercial pick-ups
built in Thailand, in particular, have been very popular with the Toyota Hilux,
Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton. Mazda BT-50, Ford Ranger and Honda CR-V among
the top-selling vehicles in Australia in 2013.

Australia’s free trade agreements with Thailand and the US have been the subject
of much frustration for the Australian car industry. While the import laws are
favorable to overseas manufacturers, exporting to either country is met with
stiff tariffs and excise taxes (as opposed to “duty”), meaning Australia-made
products are not particularly viable in those markets.

Toyota Australia sales and marketing executive director Tony Cramb said the
decision to import the Corolla sedan from Thailand afforded the company more
leeway on pricing and equipment.

A spokesman also said previous governments had failed manufacturers by not
ensuring conditions of free-trade agreements were suitable for exporters. All a
little late now, as Australia watches its local car manufacturing industry come
to a grinding halt.

Myanmar Friendship Caravan

Myanmar soon will close its borders to vehicular traffic
following the Myanmar government announcement that in July 2014 there will be no
more overland trips allowed to enter Myanmar by car. Reason for this is not
explained or available at this time.
As this Friendship Caravan goes through Myanmar, all participants wishing to
join this last trip will have to submit all documentations, e.g PP copy, car
registration, car licenses, etc., three months in advance - prior to the
departure date from Thailand.
The AA Auto Venture to Myanmar 2014 will encompass Maesot - Myawady - Kyaithio -
Naypyidaw - Inle Lake - Mandalay - Bagan - Yangon - Bago - Mawlamyaing -
Myawaddy - Maesot.
The dates are as follows:
11-JUNE-2014 South of Thailand / Bangkok
Convoy arrive at The Emerald Hotel Rachada Pisek Road
Dinner and overnight in Bangkok
12-JUNE-2014 Bangkok / Maesot
Morning drive to Maesot with stop en route for lunch and fill gasoline
Arrive Maesot, dinner and overnight Maesot
13-JUNE-2014 Mae Sot-Myawaddy-Kyaikto (285 km) (L/D)
14-JUNE Kyaikto-Payagyi-Nay Pyi Taw (452 km) (B/L/D)
15-JUNE Nay Pyi Taw - Inle Lake (263 km) (B/L/D)
16-JUNE Taunggyi-Meikhtila-Mandalay (327 km) (B/L/D)
17-JUNE Mandalay-Bagan (242 km) (B/L/D)
18-JUNE Bagan sightseeing by Coach (B/L/D)
19-JUNE Bagan-Yangon (642 km) (B/L/D)
20-JUNE Yangon sightseeing by coach (B/L/D)
21-JUNE Yangon-Mawlamying (318 km) (B/L/D)
22-JUNE Mawlamying-Myawaddy-Mae Sot (190 Kms)
23 JUNE Free run back to Bangkok or other destination
You can get more information on HP: +66819024490 (Capt. Sitthichoke) or HP:
+66849404746 (Khun Somsak). Having known Capt Sitthichoke for many years, I can
vouch for the way he runs these trips.